It felt pointed when Benzema took the no.10 shirt previously worn by Zinedine Zidane.

Both were proud of their Algerian roots. Both possessed natural grace with the ball. Both survived the uncompromising pressure required to make it at Real Madrid.

But, while Zidane was held up as a hero, Benzema was discarded and blacklisted by the French Football Federation.

Since playing his last game for France- a 4-0 win against Armenia in which he scored twice- Benzema has won three consecutive Champions Leagues, La Liga, the Spanish Super Cup, two UEFA Super Cups and two FIFA Club World Cups.

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